Like many, I spent much of my life not paying particular attention to my weight or fitness. I was lucky enough to be thin and healthy for a long time. Then things started creeping up on me over the years...things being pounds mostly. I found myself in my early 50s with 50+ extra pounds and a way too sedentary lifestyle.

I started my new health routine and SparkPeople life in early April 2008. I'm happy to share that I've lost 60 ...

Hi all you fabulous Spark People!

Like many, I spent much of my life not paying particular attention to my weight or fitness. I was lucky enough to be thin and healthy for a long time. Then things started creeping up on me over the years...things being pounds mostly. I found myself in my early 50s with 50+ extra pounds and a way too sedentary lifestyle.

I started my new health routine and SparkPeople life in early April 2008. I'm happy to share that I've lost 60 pounds and am regularly exercising now. Slowly but surely I am getting closer to the fitness level I want, and perhaps more importantly, I am more active and just plain old feel better.

Good luck to all of you in reaching and/or maintaining your goals!

I am now (as of early 2012) honored to be an official SparkPeople employee. I work part-time in support and love helping Spark members with questions or issues. This has given me another view into this great SparkPeople organization; from the top down, they all truly care about helping the members reach our goals. I feel blessed to be even a small part of it.

If I can ever help you along the way, just let me know. Many Sparkers helped me and I am ready to return the favor whenever possible. I try to let people know when they have helped, inspired and motivated me along the way; but, I know that I have not always done that & am trying to be better about doing so. There have been days when the only reason I got up the gumption to workout is because of the teams I lead and belong to and their wonderful members. I hate having to report to my SP friends that I did not complete a challenge or didn't do as much exercise as I should have...so I pull myself off the couch and do it, while at the same time I think how lucky I am to have the friends here that inspire this new healthy behavior. THANK YOU, one and all!!!

My Goals:
My original goal was to lose 50 pounds. Wow, I still find it hard to believe I was that much overweight. But, it is what it is. Losing 50 put me at a good weight for me; but still in the upper half of the range for my height. Once I got there, I took a good hard look and decided to go for a few more. Now, with 61 lbs gone forever, I'm moving to maintenance mode.

Of course I want to look better and to feel better about myself again. But primarily I really am after the improved health benefits.

Finding small ways to get in just a little more exercise: things like walking in the yard a bit more with the dog, going upstairs a few extra times during the day instead of combining trips, Doing some leg / ankle exercises while watching TV. All little but it adds up.